Mary's Little Donkey

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Donkey was fully content in the life God had planned for him. His loyalty and his kindness in helping other creatures had become his way of showing the love and purpose that God had placed in his little donkey heart. And he himself felt very much loved. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.” What Is the Significance of Mary and Joseph's Entrance?

Did Mary ride a donkey to Bethlehem? - Aleteia

Jerusalem covered one square mile and had an estimated population of 200,000, with one million pilgrims annually, mainly arriving for the religious feasts.From the poverty of Jesus’ simple beginnings being born to simple parents who traveled to Jerusalem in search of a place to rest—is the journey we all make as we find our way to God through the “Bread of Life.” Some of us wander the earth for years looking for a way to rid ourselves of the heavy burdens we carry. It’s not until we receive Jesus, that we are debt-free of the wages of death. From poverty, Jesus’ birth becomes the miracle of our redemption.

Did Mary Really Ride on a Donkey into Bethlehem? - Crosswalk

We also know they were subject to living under the burden of Roman military and judicial rule. They were taxed by both Rome and the Temple. They were simple people living a very simple way of life which meant they experience the gap inequality between the rich and the poor. We may never know the exact mode of transportation that Joseph and Mary used, but we do know the possibilities are many. They could have used a donkey, walked there on foot, or traveled with others in a caravan. Most of the lady donkeys would have adopted him as their own little colt, but this was not to be. Just as Donkey thought he had found a foster mother, he would find himself on another farm. But God had not forgotten him. And finally, Donkey had accepted the fact that he might never know his natural mother, or have a foster mother. As a very young colt, whenever Donkey was moved to a different farm and met some new donkeys, he would trot up to a lady donkey and ask with renewed hope, “Are you my mama?” Of course, his search was in vain. As he grew a little older, Donkey no longer brayed this question aloud, even though finding his mama was still a longing in his heart. Donkeys or asses were the normal animals used to carry loads and are still used in many countries today. Horses were only used by the rich or as a war animal.

This story of Jesus’ birth pictures St. Joseph as an old man, who has children from a previous marriage. The scene has Mary sitting on a donkey, led by Joseph’s son. Almost every film, every play, and every nativity scene planted in front yards depicts Mary on a donkey. While these nativity scenes remind us of the wonder and awe of the night of Jesus’ birth. There may be misconceptions about the night of our wonderful Savior’s birth. They all tell the Christmas story but are they correct? Is it okay to use a theatrical license to retell the story? Either way, it does cause us to wonder what the journey to Bethlehem was like.

Mary’s Donkey – a Christmas Story, Part 1 – Jeannie Thompson

The story of the journey to Bethlehem is found in chapter two of Luke. Verses 1-21 tell us about the journey, Jesus’ birth, and the first eight days after his birth. However, only Luke 2:4-7 give us any details of their journey to Bethlehem:

He went there to be registered with Mary, who had been promised to him in marriage and was pregnant. It is possible that St. Joseph did in fact lead Mary to Bethlehem on a donkey. This was a common way of traveling at the time and donkeys were popular among all classes of people. Possibly a caravan

Mary traveled with Joseph on a donkey | Bibleview

Zechariah 9:9 “Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” Whatever it might have been, the road was arduous, and their journey encourages us along our own spiritual journey to the feast of Christmas. From a very early age, the little donkey was passed along from one owner to another. He never stayed in one place very long, and that’s why he had never been given a name of his own. Everyone just knew him as “Donkey”. Only God knew Donkey’s mother. Only God knew Donkey’s name. The Gospel itself leaves out such details, as everyone knew at the time it was composed how people traveled. So all went to be enrolled, each to his own town. And Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. While they were there, the time came for her to have her child, and she gave birth to her firstborn son. (Luke 2:3-7) A donkey colt had just been born. At that very moment, his mother died, but he was not alone; God was with him, just as He is with every creature. And this donkey would be part of a wonderful miracle, the birth of Jesus!The hand of God is seen everywhere, even here, with His using a Roman census to get Jesus to be born in Bethlehem. A few months ago, the day Joseph first brought you to his parents’ stable, I had a visitor from Heaven. An angel came to see me. Yes, Donkey, a real angel! And what a wonderful message he brought from God Himself! He said that God had chosen me to become the mother of His Son. If the census was taken over a period of time, then Joseph and Mary could have gone to Bethlehem and been in Jerusalem at one of the three feasts. All Jewish males were compelled to attend. The angel’s name is Gabriel, and I think ‘Gabriel’ would be a perfect name for you, Donkey. I’ll call you ‘Gabe’ for short!” Donkey looked at Mary and nuzzled her hand. His long ears twitched over a broad smile as if he understood her and was pleased with his new name! After all, he didn’t know another donkey in Nazareth that had been named for an angel!